We might know who Joseph-Gordon Levitt is playing in The Dark Knight Rises, and it's a lot more believable than Robin or the Riddler...and yet another Inception star could be joining the movie. Bryan Singer explains how X-Men: First Class connects to his earlier films, plus Michael Fassbender talks Magneto and Ridley Scott's Prometheus. Tommy Lee Jones talks Captain America and Men in Black 3, Roberto Orci sets a deadline for the Star Trek 2 script, a Doctor Who monster is revealed, Michael Bay confirms a key character for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and much, much more!

Spoilers from this point on!

The Dark Knight Rises

You know, after months of weathering increasingly insane cast rumors, including the idea that Christopher Nolan would just put the entire cast of Inception into the movie...well, it's starting to look like Nolan really is putting the entire cast of Inception into the final Batman movie after all. Obviously, Tom Hardy is already confirmed as Bane, but now Joseph Gordon-Levitt appears to be all but confirmed for a role as well.

The latest rumor for which role Gordon-Levitt is playing: the gangster Alberto Falcone, the son of Tom Wilkinson's Batman Begins villain Carmine Falcone. Obviously, this is all just rumor and speculation, but the younger Falcone was a major player in the Long Halloween storyline, which Nolan has previously made extensive use of in the movies. And, if nothing else, Alberto Falcone is infinitely more believable than the other two apparent choices, Robin or the Riddler. So yeah...don't believe this just yet, but this certainly wouldn't surprise me. [Beehive City]

Next up on the Inception reunion tour, Marion Cotillard is once again being seriously rumored for a role in the movie, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro. The rumor is that Cotillard would play Bruce Wayne's love interest (or, depending on how they handled Anne Hathaway's Catwoman, his other love interest), and that this ties in with the rumors Nolan was looking for not one but two female leads late last year. Again, none of this is impossible, and I've heard way more unlikely casting rumors, but take it all with a grain of salt for now. Oh, and I'm sure her potential casting will re-ignite the Talia al Ghul rumors, but I'm not even remotely convinced that fits with the type of story Nolan wants to tell, or indeed the previous depiction of the Ra's al Ghul character in Batman Begins. [/Film]

Original movie writers Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus have reportedly been hired back to write the sequel script. [Latino Review]

Star Trek 2

Roberto Orci says the writing team plans to submit the script in about six weeks, which means right around the end of March. Meanwhile, costar Simon Pegg says he expects to start filming in August. [TrekMovie]

X-Men: First Class

As awesome as the trailer looks - and I'm sorry, I'm not currently hearing arguments against its awesomeness - there's some concern that the timeline presented here is fundamentally incompatible with that seen in the original trilogy, such as how First Class team member Havok could conceivably be the brother of Cyclops when there's a forty-year age difference between them. Executive producer Bryan Singer addressed these concerns by saying the creative team is aware of them, and they have some ways to work around them...which we'll start to see if First Class gets some follow-up movies:

Yes, the timeline is different. It wouldn't physically fit for him to be the brother of Cyclops. We take some liberties on that. There are notions, but, um, I don't want to give away certain interrelations, but let's just say there are some things that do adhere to the comic books and do so in a way the fans will get a kick out of. And those things can, perhaps, move forward into the future…. That's one reason we wanted to call the film ‘First Class' even though it isn't the [Jeff Parker-penned story arc called] ‘First Class' in the comics as fans know it. You couldn't really tell that story without going even earlier and explaining how they got there and how it came to be. I liked the title, so we kept it, but this is a prelude in a way that will eventually lead to the [scenarios] that fit in more clearly with the ‘First Class' comics and situations.

There's a ton more at the link, including Singer's thoughts on some of the newer characters. [Hero Complex]

Magneto actor Michael Fassbender says he retained elements of Sir Ian McKellen's portrayal, but he really looked to the comics themselves to guide his performance. He says that, as much as Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr might seem like partners and rivals, their relationship is actually just as much that of teacher and student:

"I'm not a teacher; I'm a pupil. Charlie boy is the teacher. That's the cool thing. He sees the potential in this new race and gathers us all together to really fulfill our ultimate powers, to really unleash these gifts."

He also implied that there may be some plot importance to the two different helmets - silver and red - that he is seen wearing in the trailer. [MTV Movie News]

Prometheus

Michael Fassbender also plays the main android in Ridley Scott's not-technically-an-Alien-prequel Prometheus. He explained just how the new movie connects back to the old franchise, even if it's all technically unofficial:

"Oh, absolutely. There's a definite connecting vein. You realize you're part of something else, but it's definitely in keeping with the old ones. When I read it, I was like, 'Well, okay, another Alien. Where do you go with this idea?' And then I sort of read the script, and it's new, yet it's in keeping with the old traditions as well. But there's a whole new revelation within this film. The first 'Alien' [movies], they were thriller. Something's going on. It's creeping, it's sinister. Things are happening, it's building, [and there are] different sorts of intrigues and politics going on between the different relationships on board. There's action in [Prometheus], but the intelligence is what struck me when I read it. It's more sort of like the original ones. There are things happening and building, and the intelligence of the first two-thirds of the film gets you ready for the action."

Charlize Theron - who has been heavily rumored for a part in this for some time - is reportedly joining the movie alongside Fassbender and lead Noomi Rapace, but that has yet to be officially confirmed. [ShockTillYouDrop]

Battle: Los Angeles

Green Lantern

Another toy is out, this one showing off the rather obscure Green Lantern Nautkeloi. As with a lot of the other Green Lantern tie-in toys, it's not known whether this Lantern has any role in the movie beyond a background cameo. [MovieWeb]

Paul

Sigourney Weaver discusses her brief turn as a villain in the movie, which is very much meant as an homage to her work in the Alien movies:

...This film, Paul, was done within a context that I found believable – somewhat. It was just a wink, and there are winks throughout the movie, and little homages to different science-fiction masterpieces, to the extent that I think you need an annotated DVD, because I'm sure, having only seen it once, that I've missed some of these things. So I think, if the film weren't in the hands of (director) Greg Mottola and these guys (Simon and Nick), I would have not wanted to do it. That was my one reservation; will this just be very organic and pop out, and you laugh about it as it happens? I knew they would do it in that seamless way."

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

The Hurt Locker star Anthony Mackie has reportedly been cast as Lincoln's best friend Will, while Captain America actor Dominic Cooper is reportedly in talks to play ageless mentor Henry, a role originally linked to Joaquin Phoenix. [Deadline]

Mackie confirmed he has joined the cast - although he didn't actually confirm which character he is playing - and explained why he was drawn to the project and what the filming schedule looks like:

The great thing about it and what I loved about the movie is the idea that it's the actual storyline. They took Abraham Lincoln's biography, moment by moment, and put this sub-storyline of vampires in it, and I think that's kind of interesting. It kind of entices the next generation to look at history in way that's new and creative. I feel that if you watch this movie and you talk about it, you're talking about actual history, just with new plot points in it. That starts in like four or five weeks, we start shooting in New Orleans so I get to go home and work for three months.

That's why I'm so interested in doing the movie, not so much because of the vampires or Abraham Lincoln, it's the history aspect and I want to see just how far can he take it, because he's such an interesting guy and his style of directing and way of working is so interesting. It's unlike anything I've done in my career so far, so we'll see.

I Am Number Four

As soon as I read the script, I knew there were certain qualities that I wanted to bring to Sarah. She has this wanderlust. She has aspirations to travel and to see the world. And she has a bit of an old-soul quality to her. It's almost like a chance to start over with [Number Four] because he's from out of town, and there's something kind of mysterious about him, but he's also kind to her. They very quickly form this very serious relationship, and then things get somewhat crazy.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Director Michael Bay revealed some key details for the movie, confirming the presence of Sentinel Prime - it was long suspected that he's the fire truck seen in various set photos, not to mention the lifeless Transformer stuck on the Moon in the first teaser trailer - who is generally depicted as Optimus Prime's immediate predecessor. Bay also said the new main villain Shockwave compares favorably with Megatron, as "He's got a much bigger gun [and is] a little bit more vicious." He said this movie does have a definitive end, as Bay has no interest at all in making a Transformers 4. He again sort of apologize for Revenge of the Fallen, explaining that they had a better story for this one:

"It's epic and it happens in a city. It's more accessible because you recognize stuff - it's not in a desert. It's kind of like 'Black Hawk Down' with our small group of heroes in a city."

Men in Black 3

Tommy Lee Jones says he has a week of filming left on the third installment, which he says he's still enjoying immensely. But that doesn't mean he has any idea what the story is about, as "there are vast pieces of the script yet unwritten." That may sound a bit worrying, but keep in mind that the movie mostly takes place in the 1960s, with a time-traveling Will Smith teaming up with a younger version of Agent K, played by Josh Brolin. As such, Jones's part in the film is probably relatively small, so it's conceivable the middle, 1960s-set portion of the film still needs to be finished while the framing, present-day sequences are already done. Still...it does sound as though this movie is using a...unique creative process. [Vulture]

Drive Angry

Nemesis

Matthew Michael Carnahan, the writer of such films as The Kingdom, State of Play, and Lions for Lambs, is reportedly close to signing on to adapt Mark Millar's latest thinly veiled movie storyboard comic book miniseries. [Latino Review]

Jack the Giant Killer

Nicholas Hoult, who plays Beast in X-Men: First Class, has reportedly been offered the main role in Bryan Singer's revisionist take on the Jack and the Beanstalk legend. [Deadline]

Doctor Who

British model-turned-actress Lily Cole, who previously appeared in Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, will appear in episode this series. The BBC describes the role as "a mysterious creature that haunts a pirate ship", which pretty much confirms that she is appearing in the new episode three alongside Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, who is playing a pirate captain. Specifically, it appears the mythological sirens - or some alien version thereof - are the Doctor's foes in this episode, based on dialogue overheard during the episode's Cornwall filming. [BBC and Doctor Who Spoilers]

Torchwood: Miracle Day

Writer Jane Espenson tweeted this encapsulation of the new series's tone:

Very comparable to last season's "Children of Earth" in terms of tone. Certainly not un-violent.

The Walking Dead

The Shield writer Glen Mazzara has become the new lieutenant to Frank Darabont on the show's writing staff, replacing season one's Charles "Chic" Eglee. Despite earlier rumblings that Darabont might use a pure freelancer model, it now appears that the series will indeed feature a full writing staff again. [Deadline]

The Cape

Here's a promo and synopsis for episode 7, "The Lich Part 1." [ComicBookMovie]

Orphaned since birth, Conrad Chandler (guest starring Glenn Fitzgerald), the heir of one of Palm City's founders, exacts revenge on the public and threatens to paralyze and control the city. The Cape (David Lyons) and Max (Keith David) alert Marty (Dorian Missick) of the impending danger to the city, which backfires on The Cape. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Prisons, Patrick Portman (guest star Richard Schiff), aids Orwell (Summer Glau) in her search for the lone heir. Orwell locates Conrad through Netta (guest star Illeana Douglas), his mysterious caretaker, but soon discovers his deeply disturbing past and finds herself in danger. Elsewhere, Dana (Jennifer Ferrin) becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her new social life.

NBC has released this official description for episode 9, "The Razer":

THE CAPE, MAX MALINI AND THE CARNIVAL MISFITS INFILTRATE SCALES AND HIS GANG TO PROTECT PALM CITY- LIL ROMEO, ELLIOT GOULD AND SLAINE GUEST-STAR–Concerned about the protection of his gang's city territory, Scales (Vinnie Jones) makes a controversial pact with Fleming (James Frain) and plans to bring a dangerous villain, Razer (guest star Grant Bowler), to the city. Vince (David Lyons) intercepts Razer's arrival, disguises himself as the villain and infiltrates the inner circle of Scales and his gang. Meanwhile, Fleming battles internally with his alter ego, Chess, and Orwell (Summer Glau) remains in a dreary state, hinting at a uncertain future.

Being Human (UK)

Being Human (US)

Star Sam Witwer dropped a few hints for where the series is headed:

- Other family members will turn up.
- We will see Aidan and Bishop in different ages via flashbacks.
- Aidan in the past was a lunatic. A real sociopath, and a psychopath.
- He will do something you won't see coming.
- More will come of the vampire/werewolf feud.
- That Celene tattoo is significant.

Stargate Universe

Still no definite word on the Stargate front. Following a flurry of promising developments, things have gone unbearably quiet. Not a bad sign just… no sign. There's an anticipation that good news could break any day now – but the longer the wait, the greater the challenge when the time comes. To those holding out hope that this could mean a third season pick-up – alas, this isn't one of the scenarios in play. Nevertheless, as I said in a previous entry, if and when we finally do get the green light, Brad has some wonderful surprises in store for fans of SGU (as well as fans of the Stargate franchise in general). I've got my fingers crossed for all involved, even though it's looking more and more like I won't be among them.

The Incredible Hulk

ABC is still going ahead with the series, but due to the creative team's schedules it definitely won't come out until the 2012 season, and that's at the earliest. [EW]

Smallville

We now officially sort of have a reason to look forward to the series finale: Michael Rosenbaum is definitely coming back for the two-hour as Lex Luthor, and executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders suggest we'll finally see how Lex Luthor and Superman become arch-nemeses:

"We couldn't be more excited about having Michael back. And as far as the way he returns…there'll be no doubt about how Lex becomes the great rival in Clark Kent's life. He is the villain of the story."

Oliver and Chloe are kidnapped while investigating a rash of murders carried out by Desaad, who then attempts to sicken Chloe with the darkness. Meanwhile, Lois advises Clark to get a disguise to protect his identity.